Stephen Curry Could Briefly Hold NBA Record After Play-In Game vs. Grizzlies
The NBA has had some version of the Play-In tournament since 2020, although the current four-team-per-conference format was not adopted until 2021. Since then, some teams have become fixtures of the event, for better or worse.
The Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, and Golden State Warriors have all played in the Play-In more than once. The Warriors and Grizzlies will play tonight, with the winner advancing to take on the Houston Rockets.
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Stephen Curry has a chance to secure an NBA record in the game, but he likely won't hold it for long.
Apr 6, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the start of the game against the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The all-time leading Play-In scorer is Jonas Valančiūnas, with 124 points. During stints with the Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Kings, he has made it in every single season. Curry ranks sixth all-time with 96 points, and could very easily pass Valančiūnas tonight with a solid outing.
However, Trae Young is sandwiched between them, and the star guard is listed as probable for tonight's matchup against the Orlando Magic.
On top of that, Valančiūnas and DeMar DeRozan, who also ranks ahead of Curry, will play on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. If the Kings win, they will play the loser to the Warriors-Grizzlies showdown, giving both Valančiūnas and DeRozan possibly an extra game over Curry this season.
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While being a Play-In fixture tends to mean that the team is not quite good enough to compete, the 2023 Miami Heat became the first and only team to make the Finals from the Play-In, so there is a path for the Warriors to run the table.
Check out the Inside the Warriors homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Analyst Makes Clear Prediction Before Warriors-Grizzlies Play-In Game
Related: Warriors Make Key Announcement About Starter Before Pivotal Grizzlies Matchup
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